Good Week Bad Week 19 December 2008

It’s been a Good Week for...

Mobile broadband laptops – good news for fans of embedded technology: sales of mobile broadband-ready 3G laptops have increased sharply since they were launched to the public. One study has found that mobile broadband laptops are currently outselling models that require a dongle by a ratio of 3:2.

Welsh broadband users – the Welsh Assembly has named six villages in the principality that will be given brand new superfast broadband connections. These so-called ‘not-spots’ will be able to receive up-to-speed broadband next year, with villagers saying it will help local children with homework and Facebook.

Superfast broadband – Virgin Media finally released its successor to the Mother Of All Broadband, a new fibre optic 50Mbps service, with a glitzy photoshoot featuring Strictly Come Dancing star and former S Clubber Rachel Stevens. The new service is said to be nine times the speed of average broadband in the UK. Virgin Media said it will be available to more than 12.6 million homes by the summer of 2009.

It’s been a Bad Week for...

Criminals – bad news for nefarious types hoping to maintain an edge of law-evading anonymity: you can now be served legal papers over Facebook. One couple, who avoided summons by ignoring emails, phone calls and visits to their house, were shocked to find a court order among the invitations to install SuperPoke when they logged on to the popular social networking site.

Nokia mobile broadband – the latest word from the Scandinavian mobile phone giant is that they won’t release their own mobile broadband package when they start selling mobile broadband USB dongles next year, instead letting providers use the hardware in conjunction with their own mobile broadband deals.

Broadband customers – new research shows that broadband users are being hit by hidden costs outlined in their broadband package small print. Around 27% pay an average of £36 a year, say Moneysupermarket, on extras such as paper billing and non-Direct Debit payments. Still, the costs aren’t really ‘hidden’ – just written in small writing. Always check any contract thoroughly before signing up to a broadband deal.